The show takes place in the High Republic era.
With the news that Star Wars: The Acolyte is about to begin filming (Dark Horizons), we thought it was time to round up what we know about the upcoming show.
The Acolyte is another live-action series bound for Disney+. However, unlike the shows we’ve seen so far, it is set far earlier than the Skywalker saga; The Acolyte takes place towards the end of the High Republic era, some 100 years before. This is a period that has, so far, been the preserve of prose and comics.
Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy has described the show as “…a mystery thriller that will take us into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging Dark Side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.”
Writer and showrunner Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) also talks of a “… prosperous and seemingly peaceful era, when the galaxy is still sleek and glistening.” She also suggests we can expect a quite different role for the Jedi too, where they are used to stability and aren’t out and about solving political issues.
The cast
Among the names announced for the show are Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies) and Squid Games‘ Lee Jung-Jae.
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Additionally, Jodie Turner-Smith (Nightflyers, Anne Boleyn), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick) have been cast.
So too has Charlie Barnett, reuniting him with Leslye Headland, who he worked with on Russian Doll.
When might The Acolyte air?
The Star Wars Disney+ pipeline is full of shows. Andor Season 1 is currently airing, with The Mandalorian‘s third run due in February 2023.
Following them should be Ahsoka and then Skeleton Crew, both presumably on course for later in 2023. After that, we can expect The Acolyte – as well as the second (and final) series of Andor.
If you’re not adverse to spoilers, we recommend a trip to The Bespin Bulletin who have photos of set constriction for The Acolyte, taking place at Shinfield Studios in Berkshire.
Of course, we’ll keep you posted.